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Day 1
Departure Canada
Your exotic journey to the South East Asia begins as you depart Canada to India.
Day 2 Delhi
Upon your arrival transfer to Best Western Surya Hotel.
Day 3 Delhi
Day free to explore the capital on your own or time to shop. Delhi the capital of India and the third-largest city with a long and fascinating history, founded on the site of seven historic cities, is today composed of the old city and the new, two halves of a stimulating and harmonious unity. New Delhi, a gracious, vivacious city, has multi-storied buildings, boulevards and fountains. Overnight at Best Western Surya Hotel. (B)
Day 4 Delhi
The Tour of Old and New Delhi-in Old Delhi, the magnificent Red Fort -the fortified citadel, wears the mellowed strength and elegance of the great Mughal
Empire, built of red sandstone within whose walls are marble palaces; and two grand chambers-the Diwan-I-Khas –the hall of private audience & the
Diwan-I-Am-the hall of public audience. Opposite the fort is the majestic Jama
Masjid, with its black & white dome & towering minarets. Drive past the Kotla Firoze Shah, ruins of an old fort-4th C. Visit Raj Ghat the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi on that fateful day of January 30th, 1948. In New Delhi, the impressive Rajpath to the World War I memorial arch-the India Gate, pass centre of all government activity. Then visit Humayun’s Tomb-built in 1565 AD by his grieving widow Haji Begum, the Qutub
Minar. In its grounds are the ruins of Quwat-ul-Eslam (Light of Islam) Mosque and Delhi’s most curious antique, the uncoroded Iron Pillar, which dates back to the 4th century A.D. Visit the Birla
(laxmi Narayan) Temple, with its profusion of Gods & Goddess from the Hindu pantheon. Overnight at Best Western Surya Hotel. (B)
Day 5 Delhi- Agra
Transfer to Agra on road via Sikandra-the site of the tomb of Moghul Emperor Akbar set in a large expanse of garden. The simplicity of the tomb is a fusion of Muslim & Hindu architecture reflecting the character of the man his tolerance of all religions. After that tour transfer to Mughal Sheraton hotel. In the afternoon, visit the world famous Taj
Mahal-which is telling a love story ever told. On the death of his beloved wife Mumtaz
Mahal, in wild extravagance, Shah Jehan built her this memorial. 20,000 men laboured for over 17 years to builsd this poem of white marble and precious stone. Also visit the nearby Agra Fort-behind its foreboding red sandstone embattlements lie impressive buildings that recount the story of the Mughal Empire. A visit to the fort is an Agra ’must’ since so many of the events which led to the construction of the Taj took place here. Overnight at Hotel. (B)
Day 6 Agra- Jaipur
Transfer to Jaipur on road lies the ghost city of Fatehpur
Sifri-an epic poem in red sandstone, built by Emperor Akbar the Great in 1569, and then to Rajputana Sheraton Hotel. In the afternoon take the Tour of Jaipur City –the Pink City so named after the pink hued stone used in all the buildings. Hawa
Mahal( Palace of Winds)-an elaborate building encrusted with delicate honeycomb screens and carved balconies from which the royal ladies, confined to their quarters could view the world outside. Jai Singh’s Observatory-built in the 17th century by the founder of Jaipur who was also soldier, astronomer and builder. The City Palace now a museum displaying fine Rajput and Moghul
pauntings, rare manuscipts, royal costumes and an
armoury. Overnight at hotel. (B)
Day 7 Jaipur
Morning elephant ride up to the Amber fort-palace nestled in the Aravalli Hills & the ancient capital of the State until 1728. Visit the Temple of Kali-the Hall of Victory or Jai
Mahal, and Jagmandir. Overnight at Rajputana Sheraton Hotel. (B)
Day 8 Jaipur-Mandawa
Transfer to Mandawa on road, photo stop at Nawalgarh before to Desert Resort Hotel. In the afternoon you will enjoy City Tour of
Mandawa-walk into the Mandawa bazaar which has a profusion of painted houses some of which have been converted into shops and tie-n-dye fabrics flutter in the wind. Visit the havelis with their frescoes-of which the
Chokanis, the Goenkas and the sarafs are extravagantly painted. Overnight at hotel. (B)
Day 9 Mandawa-Bikaner
Transfer to Bikaner on road and to Bhanwar Niwas Hotel. In the afternoon take a Tour of
Bikaner-a medieval city set along the old caravan route which linked Central Asia & North India to the ports of
Gujerat. Charming havelis stand in the old part of this walled city and a leisurely lifestyle still prevails. Visit one of the finest
Fort-Rajput monuments, thirty-seven palaces, pavilions and temples built by different kings are all connected by paved courtyards, narrow staircases and terraces in this Rathor stronghold. Overnight at hotel. (B)
Day 10 Bikaner-Jaisalmer
Transfer to Jaisalmer on road-the entire living area of Jaisalmer lies within the gigantic citadel walls and then to Himmatgarh Palace Hotel. (B)
Day 11 Jaisalmer
In the morning City Tour of Jaisalmer-the Fort, built by Prince Jaisal ; Jain Temples-12th-15th which lie within the fort complex. Visit Salim Singh ki
Haveli-was the tyrannical Prime Minister of Jaisalmer in the 18 century; Patwon ki
Haveli-the largest and most elaborate of the famous havelis of
Jaisalmer. Also visit Gadi-sar-an artificial lake that was an important source of water in the past; Nathmal ki
Havieli-the last of the great havelis. In the afternoon visit Samm Sand Dunes-the sand where the Raikas(camel drovers) travel with their beast over vast distances and know every waterhole and pasture in this desert region. Overnight at Himmatgarh Palace Hotel. (B)
Day 12
Jaisalmer-Jodhpur
Transfer to Jodhpur on road enroute visit Osian temples and to Karni Bhawan Hotel. In the afternoon take a Tour of Jodhpur City-with its gentle atmosphere belies a stormy yet glorious past. Its walls, seven gates and numerous bastions and towers were built in the 16th century by Rao
Maldeo. In its maze of old lanes lie several palaces, havelis and temples. The famous puppet-makers of Jodhpur are to be found here. Overnight at hotel. (B)
Day 13 Jodhpur
In the morning visit Meherangarh Fort-sprawled across the 125-metre-high hill, this is the most impressive and formidable fort. Visit some of the fort and palaces which contain a fine collection of Rajput maniature paintings, a museum; Maan Vilas which houses the Rathore armoury and on the ramparts stand cannons, the spoils of Gaj Singh. On the road down from the Fort see Jaswant
Thada-the blinding white marble cenotaph (chhatri) of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. Overnight at Karni Bhawan Hotel. (B)
Day 14 Jodhpur-Kuchman
Early morning transfer to Kuchaman on road and to Kuchaman Fort Hotel. Afternoon at leisure to explore Kuchaman on your own. The Kuchaman Fort-was established as a “chowki” by the Gurjar Pratihars(warrior clan) between 450-750AD. It was built to control the ancient trade route from Central Asia. Its history is colourful & filled with valour of battles bought by the
Kshatriyas-the warrior race. Overnight at hotel. (B)
Day 15 Kuchman-Delhi
Transfer to Delhi on road and to Best Western Surya Hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at hotel. (B)
Day 16 Delhi-Goa
Transfer to airport on flight from Delhi to Goa and to Whispering Palm Hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at hotel. (B)
Day 17 Goa
In the morning Half Day City Tour of Old Goa-. Visit the Basilica of Bom Jesus which houses the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier in a silver casket, the Se Cathedral, (1510) a towering white structure with a baroque interior-the most imposing of all churches at Old Goa. Its vaulted interior with the insignia of the King of Portugal, 14 gold embossed aktars and Doric arches overwhelms the visitor by its cheer grandeur. The Cathedral has five bells one of which is the famous Golden Bell, the largest in Goa and is dedicated to St. Catherine who was martyred for preferring the convent to a king. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at Whispering Palm Hotel. (B)
Day18-19 Goa
Full day at leisure. You can explore the city on your own- the city muddled on into the early 19th century as the administrative capital on Portugal’s eastern empire, its decline was accelerated by the activities of the Inquisition and a devastating epidemic which struck in 1635. Overnight at Whispering Palm Hotel. (B)
Day 20 Madras
Transfer to the airport on flight to Madras and to Radha Park Hotel. (B)
Day 21 Madras
In the morning take a Half Day Tour of Mahabalipuram-a charming beach resort comprises of a the tiny village by the sea which is dwarfed by the awesome piece of Tamil art- a sculpture in living rock. The piece de resistance is Arjuna’s Penance or the Descent of the Ganga, the world’s largest bas-relief. The landmark of 12th Mahabalipuram is the twin spired Shore Temple in granite which has withstood the constant lapping & lashing of the waves for over. In the afternoon take City Tour of Madras-is India’s fourth-largest city, the capital of Tamil Nadu state. You will visit some famous forts and temples. Overnight at Radha Park Hotel. (B)
Day 22 Madras-Trichy
Transfer to Trichy via Chidambaram- a temple complex of 40 acres situated between 2 rivers. It is one of the most venerated & oldest temples of the south. Shiva Nataraja-the dancing Shiva stands in its cosmic dance pose in the golden sanctum of sanctorum. Flanking the temple are 108 sculptured illustrations of Bharat Natya Shastra. Then to Jenny’s Residency Hotel. (B)
Day 23 Trichy- Madurai
In the morning half day City Tour of Trichy- a historical town and for a period the capital of the Chola rulers. Visit the Rock Fort Temple, a spectacular monument perched on a massive rocky outcrop which rises abruptly from the plain to tower over the old city. At its summit is a Ganesha Temple-a popular place of worship in spite of the steep climb involved-434 steps, there is a 100-pillar mandapam, once the venue for music concerts and religious discourses. A fine view of the city can be had from the fort. In the afternoon transfer to Madurai on road and to Madurai Ashok Hotel. Observe the evening ‘pooja’ religious ceremony on your own. Overnight at hotel. (B)
Day 24 Madurai- Periyar
In the morning Half Day City Tour-visit the Meenakshi Temple, beieved to have 33 million sculptures. The most striking aspect are the four corner gopurams. The meenakshi Nayakkar mandapam hall has 110 pillars and a lamp holder with 1,008 lamps which are lit on festive occasions. Visit the Palace of Thirumalai Nayak, the most famous king of the Nayak dynasty. Fit has a great audience hall, a three-sided pavilion and a courtyard. In the afternoon transfer to Periyar on road and to Spice Village hotel. In the evening sail on the lake to view the game. Overnight at Hotel. (B)
Day 25 Periyar -Kumarakom
Early morning Boat ride on Lake Periyar. Periyar is a game sanctuary spread over 77 sq.km. in the Thekkady district. Game & Water fowl viewing is best done from a boat. You can s pot elephants and bison when they come to the edge for a drink. Spotted deer and sambhar also abound. Late transfer to Kumarakom on road-a quaint resort located on the back waters of Kerala on the eastern shore of the Vembanad Lake, a bird sanctuary. A variety of water-fowl seen in abundance. After the tour transfer to Coconut Lagoon Hotel. (B)
Day 26 Kumarakom
Day at leisure to try some of the Ayurvedic massages/cures on your own. Overnight at Coconut Lagoon Hotel. (B)
Day 27
Kumarakom- Cochin
In the morning depart for Cochin on road. Drive to Kottayam & board the boat till Alleppy; an opportunity to view the village life of the locals who live on the banks. Re-board the bus at Alleppy to Cochin and to Hotel Casino. In the afternoon Half Day City Tour of Cochin-visit the Mattancherry Dutch Palace, which was built by the Portuguese in 1555 and renovated by the Dutch in 1663. In the ancient rooms are 17th century murals that relate in vibrant colours the story of the epic Ramayana. Visit a Jewish Synagogue in Jew Town and Fort Cochin area-legend dates Jewish trade with Ketala from the times of King Solomen. Francis Church-the oldest European Church in India. It has several antiquities including a wealth of land records. These include a palm-leaf title deed the local Raja gave the Portuguese in 1503. Overnight at hotel. (B)
Day 28 Cochin- Ooty
Transfer to Ooty through winding hilly roads and to Holiday
Inn Gems Park Hotel. (B)
Day 29 Ooty- Mysore
Half Day City Tour of Ooty- Ooty is perched at an altitude of 2286 m, famed for its salubrious climate, it boasts of a botanical garden and & pretty English styled cottages. Landscaped over 22 hectares, its Botanical Gardens are covered with blossoming trees, shrubs and colorful flowerbeds. On the top of the slope is a Toda village where the tribe & their art of weaving is preserved Miles of Undulating green downs offer golf or just the pleasure of a walk. In the afternoon transfer to Mysore. After the tour drive through beetle nut pepper plantations and then to Quality Inn Southern Star Hotel. (B)
Day 31 Mysore- Madras
Half Day City Tour of Mysore-Visit the Maharejas’s Palace, a synthesis of Hindu and Muslim styles. Gateways, domes, arches, turrets, colonnades, sculpture- all are here in magnificent profusion. Continue on to Chamundi Hill named after the Royal Family’s patron goddess and the site of summer palaces, an ancient temple and the 16-foot Nandi carved out of a single huge boulder. The view from the hill offers a beautiful panorama of all Mysore, & the surrounding hills, lakes and the turrets of temples and churches. In the afternoon transfer to Madras by train and to Radha Park Hotel. (B)
Day 31 Madras -Canada
Transfer to the airport on flight back to Canada. (B)
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